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'There's something brewing, something good'
Phillip Marshall - 14 hours ago
AUBURN – Auburn players see it and feel it. So does head coach Gus Malzahn. There’s a different vibe to this spring, and they say it is a sign of a team that has come together in pursuit of a common goal as they arrive at spring break after five days of practice.
For junior center Austin Golson and sophomore H-back Chandler Cox, it brings back memories of the joyful days of high school football.
“I would say it feels different,” Golson said. “It feels like when I was in high school and we won the state championship - people flying around and having confidence in what they are doing. I don’t think anybody is dreading practice.
“Last year we had guys saying “I can’t wait for spring break.” Today I was like “We can’t wait to get out there and practice, then we’ll worry about spring break.” I think that means a lot. I really like where we are.”
Cox said the feeling is there in the tough times on the field, off the field, throughout the program.
“When I was in high school you could feel it, and it was a good feeling,” Cox said. “That’s how I feel this year. It’s totally different than it was last year. I don’t know what it is. I don’t think anyone knows yet. But there’s something brewing, something good.”
Malzahn has said from the first day of spring practice that he was pleased with the energy his players were showing. And he said Thursday it’s only gotten better.
“Overall, I think every one of our guys wants to be coached,” Malzahn said. They are responding to their coaches and playing with great energy and having fun. They aren’t out there just dreading it. They are trying to get better, and that is what excites me.”
Junior defensive end Carl Lawson, who contemplated leaving for the NFL, said what he’s experience this spring has been unlike any other.
“It does feel different - a lot more energy, a lot more leadership,” Lawson said. “That’s something I’ve been trying to do myself with a bunch of other guys on the team. Every good team needs leaders, and it actually needs somebody to embrace that role. I feel like we have a lot of guys on the team that are trying to be leaders and trying to embrace that role. There’s a lot of energy.
“There’s no coming out there, like, ‘Oh, spring practice.’ I’m excited. That’s something (in spring practice) I haven’t had since I’ve been here. There’s been a lot of energy, and I’m real excited about it.”
Lawson said the Tigers have much to do as they head toward next season and an opportunity to make amends for last season’s 7-6 finish.
“We just have a lot of stuff to clean up, but I will say this: I love the energy we have in spring practice,” Lawson said. “It’s fun. That’s something I haven’t had since I’ve been here. I hope it carries over into next season, but that’s what I really like about this spring.”it woul
Auburn players will have 11 days off before returning to the practice field on March 22. Malzahn said he it is important that they return ready to work again.
“We’ve really challenged our guys to, over spring break, keep their cardio, to work on their own,” Malzahn said. “We’ll come back and have 10 practices. They will be very important practices. We’ll really start tackling. So far, most of what we’ve done is just thud. When we come back, our guys should have a foundation offensively and defensively to start scrimmaging and tackling.
“Overall, I’m excited for our guys and excited with our effort and energy.”
Phillip Marshall - 14 hours ago
AUBURN – Auburn players see it and feel it. So does head coach Gus Malzahn. There’s a different vibe to this spring, and they say it is a sign of a team that has come together in pursuit of a common goal as they arrive at spring break after five days of practice.
For junior center Austin Golson and sophomore H-back Chandler Cox, it brings back memories of the joyful days of high school football.
“I would say it feels different,” Golson said. “It feels like when I was in high school and we won the state championship - people flying around and having confidence in what they are doing. I don’t think anybody is dreading practice.
“Last year we had guys saying “I can’t wait for spring break.” Today I was like “We can’t wait to get out there and practice, then we’ll worry about spring break.” I think that means a lot. I really like where we are.”
Cox said the feeling is there in the tough times on the field, off the field, throughout the program.
“When I was in high school you could feel it, and it was a good feeling,” Cox said. “That’s how I feel this year. It’s totally different than it was last year. I don’t know what it is. I don’t think anyone knows yet. But there’s something brewing, something good.”
Malzahn has said from the first day of spring practice that he was pleased with the energy his players were showing. And he said Thursday it’s only gotten better.
“Overall, I think every one of our guys wants to be coached,” Malzahn said. They are responding to their coaches and playing with great energy and having fun. They aren’t out there just dreading it. They are trying to get better, and that is what excites me.”
Junior defensive end Carl Lawson, who contemplated leaving for the NFL, said what he’s experience this spring has been unlike any other.
“It does feel different - a lot more energy, a lot more leadership,” Lawson said. “That’s something I’ve been trying to do myself with a bunch of other guys on the team. Every good team needs leaders, and it actually needs somebody to embrace that role. I feel like we have a lot of guys on the team that are trying to be leaders and trying to embrace that role. There’s a lot of energy.
“There’s no coming out there, like, ‘Oh, spring practice.’ I’m excited. That’s something (in spring practice) I haven’t had since I’ve been here. There’s been a lot of energy, and I’m real excited about it.”
Lawson said the Tigers have much to do as they head toward next season and an opportunity to make amends for last season’s 7-6 finish.
“We just have a lot of stuff to clean up, but I will say this: I love the energy we have in spring practice,” Lawson said. “It’s fun. That’s something I haven’t had since I’ve been here. I hope it carries over into next season, but that’s what I really like about this spring.”it woul
Auburn players will have 11 days off before returning to the practice field on March 22. Malzahn said he it is important that they return ready to work again.
“We’ve really challenged our guys to, over spring break, keep their cardio, to work on their own,” Malzahn said. “We’ll come back and have 10 practices. They will be very important practices. We’ll really start tackling. So far, most of what we’ve done is just thud. When we come back, our guys should have a foundation offensively and defensively to start scrimmaging and tackling.
“Overall, I’m excited for our guys and excited with our effort and energy.”
